Gowdy Questions EPA Administrator Pruitt on Official Travel and Lease Agreement
Full Committee on Oversight and Accountability
WASHINGTON – Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to follow-up on the Committee’s initial request for information related to Administrator Pruitt’s official travel. Additionally, the Committee is evaluating a lease agreement between Administrator Pruitt and Ms. Vicki Hart.
Excerpts from the letter:
“…the EPA has failed to produce all the documents requested on February 20, 2018.”
“Those requests include, but are not limited to, any documents referring or relating to ‘specific, ongoing threats associated with the Administrator’s air travel,’ which was the stated basis for obtaining first class tickets in a March 20, 2018 letter from EPA Associate Administrator Troy Lyons.”
“The April 4, 2018, memorandum raises questions about whether ethics officials who reviewed the lease had access to all relevant information, and whether all applicable ethics rules were considered when those officials concluded the lease agreement complied with federal ethics regulations.”
Background:
- On February 20, Chairman Gowdy sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt requesting documents and information related to his official travel, including whether individual waivers were obtained when flying first or business class.
- On March 20, the Committee received documents from EPA responsive to our February 20 request. On April 9, EPA shared additional documents with the Committee during an in-camera review.
- Last week, the Committee obtained memoranda issued by the agency’s Designated Ethics Official on March 30 and April 4 related to Administrator Pruitt’s condo deal.
Full text of the letter can be viewed here.